The cast of Twilight might be most recognizable for their role in the vampire romance franchise, but they’ve played lesser-known roles in TV shows and movies over the years. After the first book’s release in 2005, Twilight became a worldwide phenomenon, resulting in five movies starring Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson. For years, people debated which was better, Team Edward or Team Jacob. I, personally, would die on the hill that Alice and Bella should’ve been together because neither of the guys deserved Bella. However, the hype died down after Breaking Dawn Part 2 came out.

Although the films ended 13 years ago, the franchise based on Stephanie Meyer’s books has found a resurgence in popularity, with Twilight getting an animated Netflix TV show. After rewatching the Twilight Saga on Peacock, fans might be itching to see more from their favorite actors from the franchise. Luckily, the actors in Twilight have appeared in many underappreciated or forgotten roles on TV and in the movies.

10

Zathura: A Space Adventure (2005)

Kristen Stewart As Lisa

Kristen Stewart’s role as Bella Swan might have propelled the actress’ career, making her a global household name, but she actually started acting as a child. Zathura: A Space Adventure is an all-but-forgotten film from early in her career that deserves more praise and attention.

The 2005 film, which is the first sequel to Jumanji, tells the story of two brothers who play a sci-fi board game that moves their house to outer space. Like the previous film, the events of every card happen in real life. Stewart plays Lisa, Danny and Walter’s teenage older sister, who is in the house with them during the game.

Although the film flopped at the box office, Zathura: A Space Adventure has a small but pᴀssionate fanbase who continues to sing its praises today. Jack Black even mentioned to Variety in 2019 that he wanted to make a sequel to the film.

9

The Boy And The Heron (2023)

Robert Pattinson As The Grey Heron

Robert Pattinson made his name playing the brooding teenage vampire, Edward Cullen, in the Twilight series, but he’s since gone on to build a career separate from that image. Many people won’t recognize Pattinson in one of his most recent films – even though it won Best Animated Feature Film at the Oscars, BAFTAs and Golden Globes – because it’s an animated Japanese film.

The Boy and The Heron, by Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki, tells the story of a boy named Mahito Maki who, led by a talking gray heron, ventures into a fantasy world where the living and ᴅᴇᴀᴅ coexist. The movie explores themes of death and grief in an abstract way that can take multiple viewings to digest fully. Robert Pattinson voices the Gray Heron, the guide of Mahito, in the American dub of the film.

8

The Adventures Of Sharkboy & Lavagirl In 3-D (2005)

Taylor Lautner As Sharkboy

Although he’s best known as Jacob Black, the werewolf best friend of Bella, Taylor Lautner first gained attention for playing Sharkboy in the cult-classic children’s film Sharkboy and Lavagirl. In the 2005 film, the тιтular superhero friends of a bullied boy named Max come to life and bring him to the imaginary Planet Drool, where he must help defeat the villain Mr. Electric.

This film is a particularly fun selection from Taylor Lautner’s past because he choreographed and performed his own fight scenes using his martial arts background. Additionally, he sings a laughably ridiculous song called “Dream Dream Dream Dream (Dream Dream),” while performing a mix of break dancing and martial arts. Anyone who enjoys the Spy Kids franchise needs to check out this gem by the same filmmaker.

7

Pan Am (2011-2012)

Ashley Greene As Amanda Mason

In between playing Alice Cullen in Breaking Dawn Part 1 and Part 2, Ashley Greene acted in a Sєxy and funny period drama called Pan Am, which only aired for one season on ABC. Set in the 1960s, the show centered on the stewardesses and pilots who flew on the Pan Am plane, Clipper Majestic. The show was packed with actors who have incredible starpower, such as Margot Robbie and Christina Ricci.

With big-name actors and just a single season, it’s understandable how Ashley Greene’s recurring character, Amanda Mason, would get lost in the mix. Amanda is the love interest of Michael Mosley’s Ted, the co-pilot, and Christina Ricci’s Maggie, the plane’s purser.

Unfortunately, the show was cut short when ABC canceled it, and Amazon couldn’t come to an agreement with the company to create a second season. Luckily, Pan Am is still available to stream on Tubi and AMC+.

6

The Young & The Restless (2004)

Cam Gigandet As Daniel Romalotti

Cam Gigandet gained praise for playing the vampire tracker James in the original Twilight movie, but four years earlier, he played the character Daniel Romalotti on the daytime soap opera The Young & the Restless. His casting was exciting because he played the aged-up version of the character, who was previously a child.

However, Gigandet’s casting did not last long. Gigandet only played Daniel in seven episodes before getting fired from the show. His successor, Owen Beckman, lasted even shorter, getting fired before his first airdate. The soap opera completely cut his scenes. Finally, Michael Graziadei took over the role, which he continues to do to this day.

Although Gigandet was let go from the role, he moved forward to have a successful career, bolstered by Twilight. Had he stayed on The Young & the Restless, he might not have had the time to appear in the film.

5

A Very Royal Scandal (2024)

Michael Sheen As Prince Andrew

The character Aro is an overarching villain throughout the Twilight Saga, but it would be difficult to identify the actor outside his costume. The cheery and power-hungry vampire is played by Michael Sheen, a chameleon actor who manages to look different in almost every single role. Because of this, many Twilight fans wouldn’t realize that he acts as one of the main characters, Prince Andrew, in the 2024 Amazon Prime original TV show A Very Royal Scandal.

The show follows the controversial interview between reporter Emily Maitlis and Prince Andrew after documents related to Jeffrey Epstein outed him as an alleged Sєxual abuser. Although it’s sickening to watch, Michael Sheen does an incredible job with his role as the infamous British royal – a role that would undoubtedly be difficult for any actor.

4

The O.C. (2006)

Nikki Reed As Sadie Campbell

Before appearing as Rosalie in the Twilight movies, Nikki Reed appeared in season 3 of the popular teen drama The O.C., alongside Cam Gigandet. Sadie Campbell is a teen girl who shows up in Orange County to help her aunt prepare for the funeral of her cousin, Johnny. She quickly becomes romantically entangled with the lead character, Ryan Atwood. Unfortunately, their relationship is doomed from the start, as Ryan is preparing to leave for college. He also has lingering feelings for Marissa Cooper.

Collectively, Reed only appears in seven episodes of the show, but Sadie and Ryan’s fling has an impact on him. Sadly, Sadie isn’t remembered well by some fans of The O.C., with many calling her boring. Others view her as underrated, though, proving that the fandom is divided.

3

Six Feet Under (2004-2005)

Peter Facinelli As Jimmy

Throughout the Twilight Saga, Peter Facinelli plays Carlisle, the charming and kind adopted father of the Cullen family. However, years earlier, Peter Facinelli appeared briefly in a deeply underrated dark comedy, Six Feet Under. The HBO show follows the lives of the members of the Fisher family, who own and run a funeral home in Los Angeles.

During Six Feet Under season 4, Peter Facinelli plays Jimmy, Claire’s friend from art school who has a crush on her. Although they don’t date, he gives Claire her first orgasm.

Despite gaining 9 Emmys, 3 SAG Awards, 3 Golden Globes, and a Peabody, the show has disappeared from the modern pop culture zeitgeist. Even when it is brought up, the main characters are emphasized, while the supporting characters are forgotten. As such, Peter Facinelli’s role is all but forgotten.

2

The Little Prince (2016)

Mackenzie Foy as The Little Girl

Mackenzie Foy is best-known as the actor who played Renesmee Cullen, the half-vampire/half-human daughter of Bella and Edward Cullen and the controversial imprintee of Jacob Black. The horrifying CGI baby transforms into Mackenzie Foy’s Renesmee shortly into Breaking Dawn Part 2. Three years after acting in the Twilight Saga, Foy lent her voice to the first feature-length animated adaptation of The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.

Renesmee uses telepathy instead of speaking throughout almost the entirety of Breaking Dawn Part 2, so fans could easily watch The Little Prince without realizing Foy plays the main character, The Little Girl. In this stop-motion version of the story, The Aviator tells The Little Girl of his adventures with The Little Prince.

1

Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood (2019)

Dakota Fanning As Squeaky Fromme

Dakota Fanning started her acting career long before playing Jane in the Twilight films and she has continued it long after, but the vampire films offered her a rare chance at playing the villain. This broke away from her child-actor image. Though she went back to playing protagonists for a while, she repeated this deviation when acting in Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood.

The 2019 film reimagines the Manson Murders, offering a very different ending to the tragic true crime case. Despite playing Squeaky Fromme – one the best-known members of the Manson Cult outside of Charles Manson himself – Dakota Fanning only appears onscreen for a short time in the film. Because they kept her role so small, Twilight will remain Dakota Fanning’s best villain role.